Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Aaron's WWEport - My Fave Five of 2016

Oh my goodness! It's that time again when I return from the smarkiest of dungeons to celebrate my Fave Five wrestlers of this year. As a reminder, this is not the list of who I think are the best wrestlers around right now but more about the people who's work I enjoyed the most this year.

1) The New Day

Champions for almost the entirety of the year Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, and Big E Langston have managed to revive and reign over the tag-team division of both the WWE and RAW. One of the few wrestlers who might actually be hurt by the brand split because their limited competition have now been separated from them, they still managed to be a highlight every week and continue to keep us on our toes.

2) Kevin Owens

When he wasn't Universal champion this year he was Intercontinental champion. Whether alone or with his best friend Chris Jericho, Owens has been tickling me all year with his outlandish heel antics. But he's not just great on the mic but legitimately one of the best performers in the ring too. More moves than you can count and actually makes me delight in a chin-lock.

3) Samoa Joe

In my eyes, the two best wrestling rivalries this year were Joe vs Finn Balor and Joe vs Shinsuke Nakamura. This could only have happened because of both NXT's excellent booking and Samoa Joe being the type of performer who is always a credible threat. Intimidating in every way; size, demeanour, skills. I can't think of another competitor (outside of Lesnar) who I think is seen as dangerous as him.

4) Bobby Roode

While he hasn't been around for a full year quite yet, I don't think I could have made a list of my favourite anything right now without including Bobby Roode. Put his stunning entrance aside for a moment and you still have a veteran worker with oodles of charisma and a great look. He was born to be a top class wrestler. Do I love egomaniac heels? Sure, that doesn't hurt either.

5) AJ Styles

2016 feels like a year when wrestlers who have been overlooked on the main stage finally got their due. Few embody this as much as AJ Styles. A true veteran of world wrestling, he has been ready for the spotlight for a long time. From his debut at The Royal Rumble to ending the year as WWE champion he has been wowing everyone along the way. Chances are, your favourite match this year featured him.

And competing for a place...

Chris Jericho: From popping up time to time and making you think "oh yeah, Jericho", to being a staple of every episode of RAW; 2016 has been a wild year for Y2J. Despite his list, he didn't quite make mine.

Asuka: "Nobody is ready for Asuka". She's right. It's a shame too because I think she could have used another greta rivalry this year. I'll watch her kick the crap out of people any day of the week.

Charlotte and Sasha: You can't mention one without the other this year. Both have been great and their rivalry has eclipsed everyone. Unfortunately it also may have eclipsed them individually too.

Tye Dillinger: Not in my Fave Five but this scrappy Canadian would be perfect for my top ten. Ten. Get it? Alright, I'll stop...